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Obama visit, Hollywood Studios Fireworks, and EMH Changes
- Thread starter Pioneer Hall
- Start date
Mickey92
Member
I would think it will be quiet around MK because they will want guests to stay away from there but you will have the odd guest trying to peak a view of Obama
As to the other parks, I would think they would be slightly busier than normal but January is a quiet time of year for WDW so might not be that busy!
I would think it will be quiet around MK because they will want guests to stay away from there but you will have the odd guest trying to peak a view of Obama
As to the other parks, I would think they would be slightly busier than normal but January is a quiet time of year for WDW so might not be that busy!
I'd venture to say that it will be more busy tomorrow because people will want to try and see the President. Most people will probably have no idea they won't get the chance.
MissM
Well-Known Member
Yeah that's what I was confused about. I know it's not a very busy time of year so it seemed like a LOT of extra hours/entertainment, etc. for what I assumed would be relatively small crowds.I would think it will be quiet around MK because they will want guests to stay away from there but you will have the odd guest trying to peak a view of Obama
As to the other parks, I would think they would be slightly busier than normal but January is a quiet time of year for WDW so might not be that busy!
peachykeen
Well-Known Member
I feel like it is a form of "Service Recovery" that Guest Relations will be able to say to any upset guests "We are sorry Magic Kingdom wasn't available as normal all day, but you can enjoy...." and list off the new hours/entertainment for that night.
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
business is all relative. I was at WDW last week and while it certainly wasn't crowded, there were still crowds. Even in mid-January, Space Mountain still gets 60 min waits, Soaring 120 minutes, Midway Mania 90 min, etc. I think all the added entertainment has less to do w/ crowd expectations and more to do w/ just keeping people clear of Main Street. Guests are being treated like dogs and all of the fresh meat tomorrow is off of Main Street, USA.
goofntink
Member
For tommorrow all Castmember Maingate passes are blacked out for MK. Annual passes are as well,and those guests will be directed to visit the other parks. Guests with 1 day 1 park admission tickets will be allowed to park hop tommorrow. If you have reservations for the Barber shop,or Tonys they will not be honored as those locations during the Main St closure will be closed. You will need to call reservations to make other arrangements,to reschedule,or be refunded. Main St will be closed from Park opening until 5pm tommorrow. If you are looking to go to MK expecting to see the President, please be aware this is a White House invite only event,and park guests are not permitted access to view or attend any areas the President will be possibly located. Only Castmembers authorized by security will be allowed in closed Main St work locations. Castmembers will have to check in prior to start of their shifts if scheduled to work in these areas to see if they are being transfered to another location during this time frame.
71jason
Well-Known Member
Two things. First, not all Brazilians who come to WDW are teens in tour groups. They are the most visible (and vocal) guests, but plenty of families come as well. The fact so many teens can afford to come illustrates that country's growing middle class. Remember, every teen has parents. And probably younger siblings.
Second, as Europe's economy collapses, the entire Orlando tourism industry is counting on Brazil to become the next major feeder. I have a friend who's an analyst in the industry, he said last night he expects, after this new policy, within 3 years WDW will have more visitors from Brazil than any single US state (except Florida).
71jason
Well-Known Member
I'm sure this new policy will be discussed in generic terms, but make no mistake, goal #1 is to make it easier for Brazilians to visit the US (and, in fairness, US residents to visit Brazil, site of the 2016 Olympics). #1 Brazilian destination is Orlando.
Besides, I'm no fan of the President, but I can't begrudge him the chance to check out his audio-animatronic doppelganger in person.
A report I got from the park earlier said that there are a whole bunch of management types in the MK today.
GrumpyFan
Well-Known Member
No doubt., cleaning and prepping for the President's visit.
Overnight maintenance is going to have their hands full. There will probably be a lot of wet paint, fresh flowers and new light bulbs tomorrow. Not necessarily a bad thing this visit. Maybe he could stop by AK as well. I hear there's a certain animatronic not working...
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
Wow. Um, okay. Lets try again.
I really do feel badly for all the guests who were at WDW before any of this came to light and had no opportunity to rearrange their plans. If it happens to others it could happen to me or anyone and that disappoints me considerably with all those who are making these decisions. Whatever speech is being given could have just as nice an impact with a setting that is in a location that doesn't adversely affect others or perhaps before the park opens for the day. I'd think early in the day would be better from a security standpoint as there will be less people trying to gain access and it could be better controlled.
((How'd I do?))
I really do feel badly for all the guests who were at WDW before any of this came to light and had no opportunity to rearrange their plans. If it happens to others it could happen to me or anyone and that disappoints me considerably with all those who are making these decisions. Whatever speech is being given could have just as nice an impact with a setting that is in a location that doesn't adversely affect others or perhaps before the park opens for the day. I'd think early in the day would be better from a security standpoint as there will be less people trying to gain access and it could be better controlled.
((How'd I do?
))
slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
Look, I'm a full-throated bleeding-heart liberal, and even I feel bad for guests who have to have their plans rearranged for this event. I'm glad Disney's doing as much as it can to accommodate those guests, and I'm sure any squeaky wheel will get some more grease in regards to people complaining about their vacation plans having to be altered. And I know, I know, the number of people who only have this one day in their entire vacation to go to the MK can probably be counted in no more than double digits. But really, this speech couldn't be anywhere else? They could have done it in the Contemporary, at the Top of the World Lounge during the day, where security would probably be easier to manage, with the MK in the background as an ideal backdrop, and it would have adversely affected far fewer guests. It could have been on the beach at one of the monorail resorts. It could have been at the TTC, with extra buses running from the other parks so people could park there and still get to MK. It just seems unnecessary and counter productive from a P.R. standpoint, IMHO.
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
Yes. Exactly. This is juuuust it. Nowhere else??? Come on!
Has a sitting president ever given a speech from the inside of MK before? If that answer is no, one would have to think that either Disney, the administration or both are looking to grab onto a history making event.
Clever Name
Well-Known Member
The plain fact of the matter is that WDW must look to the future to expand its tourist base. The European economies (i.e. Germany, France, Italy and the UK) are diminishing rapidly and are starting to become more of a burden to the tourist trade rather than an asset. WDW is now concentrating upon (and implementing large advertising budgets) for China, Japan, Russia, India and Brazil. Making visitor visas easier to get is just one aspect. The speech by President Obama is the kickoff for the new initiative. :wave:
I think this is an amazing opportunity for WDW to have a current President appear inside the park to make a speech. This could have been done at any number of locations around the USA, but to have it done in the Magic Kingdom is a real boost to WDW. It is probably a once in a generation opportunity.
The guests who are there can say they were in the MK on the day the president was. The reality of what they will miss will be Main Street from open until late afternoon. There is additional entertainment being added at the MK, along with additional hours at other parks and a special edition firework show.
I actually think this is a really great deal, I wouldn't mind seeing some more visits if this is what we get! LOL
I would also be willing to bet that if anyone is unhappy, a visit to guest relations would yield something.
The guests who are there can say they were in the MK on the day the president was. The reality of what they will miss will be Main Street from open until late afternoon. There is additional entertainment being added at the MK, along with additional hours at other parks and a special edition firework show.
I actually think this is a really great deal, I wouldn't mind seeing some more visits if this is what we get! LOL
I would also be willing to bet that if anyone is unhappy, a visit to guest relations would yield something.